@joesteel.bsky.social
Java developer and enthusiast. Late to the game, but > 10 years in. Enthusiastic cook, with some professional exp, occasional musician. He/Him
Hmm, this is odd. Normally they pass through. Happy for the wee critter to stay here, but I think I may need to create some lodgings.
October 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Hmm, this is odd. Normally they pass through. Happy for the wee critter to stay here, but I think I may need to create some lodgings.
The "power shuffling" mole will forever be a favorite, though
October 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The "power shuffling" mole will forever be a favorite, though
Hedgehog sighting! Love these little creatures. The only thing that makes it more wholesome is tapping on the window for my wife to come out and seeing how happy she is.
October 18, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Hedgehog sighting! Love these little creatures. The only thing that makes it more wholesome is tapping on the window for my wife to come out and seeing how happy she is.
I'm not sure how this is comfortable, but oh well.
October 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I'm not sure how this is comfortable, but oh well.
Oh, great. After a premature end to a holiday, I've now got what seems to look like a snapped coil spring (and possibly the adjoining suspension and tires) to contend with.
September 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Oh, great. After a premature end to a holiday, I've now got what seems to look like a snapped coil spring (and possibly the adjoining suspension and tires) to contend with.
Brilliant! Now I can share this clip I took of a mole running, which has made me laugh more than I care to admit.
September 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Brilliant! Now I can share this clip I took of a mole running, which has made me laugh more than I care to admit.
I've overlooked this one.
July 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I've overlooked this one.
The last holiday cat photo I managed to take. This little'un was a month and a half old; out of shot was its sibling (which it proceeded to play-fight with) and mother cat, keeping an eye on them both.
July 21, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The last holiday cat photo I managed to take. This little'un was a month and a half old; out of shot was its sibling (which it proceeded to play-fight with) and mother cat, keeping an eye on them both.
"I'm disappointed we haven't seen a hedgehog yet."
A short moment later:
A short moment later:
July 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
"I'm disappointed we haven't seen a hedgehog yet."
A short moment later:
A short moment later:
Another holiday (vacation) cat.
July 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Another holiday (vacation) cat.
A nice start to the day. 6:30am start, a strong coffee and an hour-long walk which turned into a cat-spotting walk. I must have seen more than a dozen
July 9, 2025 at 4:56 AM
A nice start to the day. 6:30am start, a strong coffee and an hour-long walk which turned into a cat-spotting walk. I must have seen more than a dozen
Hmm. This is probably why I got stung the other day... a great big wasp nest, just to the right of the shed door. Fumigated it earlier, and they're still kicking - or at least a decent bunch of them are. I'm not sure where they're getting this T-1000 energy from, but these f****** need to go ASAP.
July 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Hmm. This is probably why I got stung the other day... a great big wasp nest, just to the right of the shed door. Fumigated it earlier, and they're still kicking - or at least a decent bunch of them are. I'm not sure where they're getting this T-1000 energy from, but these f****** need to go ASAP.
Found this poor critter, barely moving in the garden. I fed it a little syrup and, a few minutes later, attempted to move it into the shade. After a brief second trying to coax it onto some paper, it took flight... straight into my upstairs bedroom window. Sigh.
June 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Found this poor critter, barely moving in the garden. I fed it a little syrup and, a few minutes later, attempted to move it into the shade. After a brief second trying to coax it onto some paper, it took flight... straight into my upstairs bedroom window. Sigh.
I'm not sure if this is a sign of being middle-aged, but I'm pretty happy with the progress of this little hanging basket that I put up a week or so back.
It's a nice little reminder to myself that we can do things just for the sake of adding a bit of colour and beauty to the world.
It's a nice little reminder to myself that we can do things just for the sake of adding a bit of colour and beauty to the world.
May 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I'm not sure if this is a sign of being middle-aged, but I'm pretty happy with the progress of this little hanging basket that I put up a week or so back.
It's a nice little reminder to myself that we can do things just for the sake of adding a bit of colour and beauty to the world.
It's a nice little reminder to myself that we can do things just for the sake of adding a bit of colour and beauty to the world.
As far as left-overs meals go, this was pretty darn good. Some mac & cheese and a steak I cooked sous vide a little while back, kept vacuum packed and frozen.
May 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
As far as left-overs meals go, this was pretty darn good. Some mac & cheese and a steak I cooked sous vide a little while back, kept vacuum packed and frozen.
My rhubarb has gone particularly wild this year. These aren't even the biggest stalks. For context, that's a 10" (blade) knife next to them.
April 25, 2025 at 10:14 AM
My rhubarb has gone particularly wild this year. These aren't even the biggest stalks. For context, that's a 10" (blade) knife next to them.
My mint is starting to take hold. The wee critter on the plant pot seemed to enjoy it, too. I do find it strange: spiders HATE mint, but ladybirds don't seem to mind it 🤷♂️
April 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
My mint is starting to take hold. The wee critter on the plant pot seemed to enjoy it, too. I do find it strange: spiders HATE mint, but ladybirds don't seem to mind it 🤷♂️
I might have been missed a bit.
April 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I might have been missed a bit.
So this flashed up today. I took this picture on my walk home from my last ever shift in a professional kitchen, 12 years ago. We'd just had a busy lunch service, 30 odd normal covers, and a corporate buffet. I had no idea what was coming next for me at this point.
March 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
So this flashed up today. I took this picture on my walk home from my last ever shift in a professional kitchen, 12 years ago. We'd just had a busy lunch service, 30 odd normal covers, and a corporate buffet. I had no idea what was coming next for me at this point.
Loving it so far. It's going to become a desktop reference book of mine, without a doubt.
March 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Loving it so far. It's going to become a desktop reference book of mine, without a doubt.
My copy of Eclipse Collections Categorically has arrived!
March 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
My copy of Eclipse Collections Categorically has arrived!
The cat got me good and proper last night. Apparently, removing enough fur to stuff a small cushion is all-well-and-good until they decide it's not.
March 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The cat got me good and proper last night. Apparently, removing enough fur to stuff a small cushion is all-well-and-good until they decide it's not.
One of the best bits of pork I've cooked. Given it was at short notice and I didn't have time to dry out the skin properly, it turned out way better than expected. Entirely new method combining Eastern and Western methods with a wee bit of science. The next one will be even better.
December 31, 2024 at 8:48 PM
One of the best bits of pork I've cooked. Given it was at short notice and I didn't have time to dry out the skin properly, it turned out way better than expected. Entirely new method combining Eastern and Western methods with a wee bit of science. The next one will be even better.